I have 5 downlighters in the bathroom that have 50w High voltage halogen
lamps in them (GU10).

I had a dimmer switch on them. I can't remember what it was rated at but it
was above 250w. The switch only lasted a few months and then burnt itself
out.
The switch was old so may just have been a coincidence that it burnt out but
it was pretty scary for my wife to find that at the top of the stairs there
was a smell of burning plastic but she couldn't see what it was. The smoke
had been going up the void in the wall!!!

Is there a specific dimmer switch I should be fitting?

Cheers
--
Steven
Don't give me any cheek if replying personally ;o)

In article ,
Steven Campbell writes
I have 5 downlighters in the bathroom that have 50w High voltage halogen
lamps in them (GU10).

I had a dimmer switch on them. I can't remember what it was rated at but it
was above 250w. The switch only lasted a few months and then burnt itself
out.
The switch was old so may just have been a coincidence that it burnt out but
it was pretty scary for my wife to find that at the top of the stairs there
was a smell of burning plastic but she couldn't see what it was. The smoke
had been going up the void in the wall!!!

Is there a specific dimmer switch I should be fitting?

A bigger one

They normally give a special rating for running halogen lamps, e.g.
250W (100W halogen) or something like that
--
Tim Mitchell

Steven Campbell wrote:

I have 5 downlighters in the bathroom that have 50w High voltage halogen
lamps in them (GU10).

I had a dimmer switch on them. I can't remember what it was rated at but it
was above 250w. The switch only lasted a few months and then burnt itself
out.
[snip]
Is there a specific dimmer switch I should be fitting?

Cheers

You need a bigger dimmer. Halogen bulbs (and that includes mains voltage
halogens - both the GU10 type and the normal bulb replacements) are
much harder on the dimmer than conventional incandescent bulbs.

(Halogen bulbs take more current than normal bulbs when at low temperature).

Most decent dimmers will explicitly state a halogen rating. E.g. 250W
(150W halogen).

If no rating is given, it's best to avoid using that type of dimmer at
all. However, I've had no significant problems by using 40% as a
rule-of-thumb (e.g. no more than 100W of halogen light on a 250 W dimmer
and 150W on a 400 W dimmer).

I think you'll struggle to find a dimmer than explicitly states
compatability with 250W of halogen light. If you do find one I'd love to
know - I've got 300 W of GU10s on one circuit in my living room (and
they're a bit harsh when trying to relax).

Perhaps swapping out the 50W bulbs for 35W ones may solve both the
dimmer problem, and the excessive light problem.


Mark

"Mark" wrote in message
...
Steven Campbell wrote:

I have 5 downlighters in the bathroom that have 50w High voltage halogen
lamps in them (GU10).

I had a dimmer switch on them. I can't remember what it was rated at but
it
was above 250w. The switch only lasted a few months and then burnt
itself
out.
[snip]
Is there a specific dimmer switch I should be fitting?

Cheers

You need a bigger dimmer. Halogen bulbs (and that includes mains voltage
halogens - both the GU10 type and the normal bulb replacements) are
much harder on the dimmer than conventional incandescent bulbs.

(Halogen bulbs take more current than normal bulbs when at low
temperature).

Most decent dimmers will explicitly state a halogen rating. E.g. 250W
(150W halogen).

If no rating is given, it's best to avoid using that type of dimmer at
all. However, I've had no significant problems by using 40% as a
rule-of-thumb (e.g. no more than 100W of halogen light on a 250 W dimmer
and 150W on a 400 W dimmer).

I think you'll struggle to find a dimmer than explicitly states
compatability with 250W of halogen light. If you do find one I'd love to
know - I've got 300 W of GU10s on one circuit in my living room (and
they're a bit harsh when trying to relax).

Perhaps swapping out the 50W bulbs for 35W ones may solve both the
dimmer problem, and the excessive light problem.

Thanks for the info. Although I'm sure the last dimmer was 400 or 500watt.
I'd have thought that would have been more than enough.

Anyone any links to a appropriate dimmer.

Thanks again.

Steven.

Steven Campbell wrote:
"Mark" wrote in message
...
Steven Campbell wrote:

I have 5 downlighters in the bathroom that have 50w High voltage halogen
lamps in them (GU10).

I had a dimmer switch on them. I can't remember what it was rated at but
it
was above 250w. The switch only lasted a few months and then burnt
itself
out.
[snip]
Is there a specific dimmer switch I should be fitting?

Cheers

You need a bigger dimmer. Halogen bulbs (and that includes mains voltage
halogens - both the GU10 type and the normal bulb replacements) are
much harder on the dimmer than conventional incandescent bulbs.

(Halogen bulbs take more current than normal bulbs when at low
temperature).

Most decent dimmers will explicitly state a halogen rating. E.g. 250W
(150W halogen).

If no rating is given, it's best to avoid using that type of dimmer at
all. However, I've had no significant problems by using 40% as a
rule-of-thumb (e.g. no more than 100W of halogen light on a 250 W dimmer
and 150W on a 400 W dimmer).

I think you'll struggle to find a dimmer than explicitly states
compatability with 250W of halogen light. If you do find one I'd love to
know - I've got 300 W of GU10s on one circuit in my living room (and
they're a bit harsh when trying to relax).

Perhaps swapping out the 50W bulbs for 35W ones may solve both the
dimmer problem, and the excessive light problem.

Thanks for the info. Although I'm sure the last dimmer was 400 or 500watt.
I'd have thought that would have been more than enough.

Anyone any links to a appropriate dimmer.

Thanks again.

Steven.

Take a look at the following URL at TLC:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technica...immerGuide.htm

(Actualy catalogue at http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/)

Their dimmers (perhaps just those listed in the halogen section?) have
been 're-rated' for halogen use hence they cater for upto 500W (or 600W
for the IR/touch type). Available in all the usual finishes too.

Mathew

"Steven Campbell" wrote in message
...
I have 5 downlighters in the bathroom that have 50w High voltage halogen
lamps in them (GU10).

I had a dimmer switch on them. I can't remember what it was rated at but
it
was above 250w. The switch only lasted a few months and then burnt itself
out.
The switch was old so may just have been a coincidence that it burnt out
but
it was pretty scary for my wife to find that at the top of the stairs
there
was a smell of burning plastic but she couldn't see what it was. The smoke
had been going up the void in the wall!!!

Is there a specific dimmer switch I should be fitting?

Cheers
--
Steven
Don't give me any cheek if replying personally ;o)



Get an MK 'intelligent' dimmer. These have soft start and intelligent
overload control suitable for Mains halogens;

http://www.mkelectric.co.uk/PDF/tech..._PLUS_tech.pdf

Page 16 and 17 of pdf file

In article ,
Steven Campbell wrote:
I have 5 downlighters in the bathroom that have 50w High voltage halogen
lamps in them (GU10).

I had a dimmer switch on them. I can't remember what it was rated at but
it was above 250w. The switch only lasted a few months and then burnt
itself out.

If you check specs of dimmers, you'll find they're rated for GLS lamps.
Change to near any other type, and the rating may be halved - or even more.

It's certainly possible to make dimmers that could cope with any type of
filament lamp, but then they'd be more expensive.

--
*We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Steven Campbell wrote:
I have 5 downlighters in the bathroom that have 50w High voltage halogen
lamps in them (GU10).

I had a dimmer switch on them. I can't remember what it was rated at but
it was above 250w. The switch only lasted a few months and then burnt
itself out.

Thanks guys for all your helpful advice. I'll have a look at the MK
'intelligent' dimmer that Tim Morley suggested.

Thanks again.

Steven.